How do I know if a friendship is worth the effort when life gets busy?

This is the question Rabia would sit with you over. She loved without calculating return—but she also wasn't foolish. Some friendships are roots. Others are beautiful seasons. The difference isn't how long you've known someone; it's whether the relationship asks something true of you, and whether you both show up for that. When life compresses and you have to choose, notice: Does this person make you more yourself or less? When you're with them, do you relax into honesty, or perform? Do they ask about your actual struggles, not just the curated version? Real friendship survives busy periods not because you force constant contact, but because there's trust underneath—you both know you'll return. Rabia's love was fierce but never anxious. It didn't depend on being chosen back perfectly. Start by being honest about your capacity right now. Tell your friend: 'I care about you and my life is demanding—I might be quieter for a while.' Then honor that promise. The friendships worth keeping are the ones where you can be honest about your limits and still feel held. Quality matters infinitely more than obligation.